The American Symphony Orchestra League has created a relief fund to help orchestras affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Those orchestras include the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra in Louisiana, and the Gulf Coast Symphony and Meridian Symphony Orchestra in Mississippi.

All funds collected by the organization will be distributed to the orchestras in need. Donations can be made at the ASOL web site, www.symphony.org.

In addition, the organization is collecting and posting status reports from affected orchestras and opportunities to help Gulf Coast musicians and their families on the site. Information about benefit concerts is also available there.

Henry Fogel, American Symphony Orchestra League president and CEO, said, "There are many service organizations who are addressing the human devastation caused by this horrible catastrophe. As individuals, we are supporting those efforts. As a group, though, the League is committed to helping our wider orchestra family in a time of great need. The infrastructure of the communities torn apart by this storm will be rebuilt in time, and it is part of our mission to ensure that their cultural vitality is restored as well."